Brown Smog Over Phoenix, Arizona Smog is caused by industrial and vehicle
pollution. It is compounded by temperature inversions, which cause the air
pollution to be kept in a particular area for extended periods. Continued
exposure to smog can result in respiratory problems, eye irritation, and
even death.Phototake NYC/Eric Kamp

The
erosion problems described above are aggravating a growing world water
problem. Expanding human populations need irrigation systems and water for
industry; this is so depleting underground aquifers that salt water is
intruding into them along coastal areas of the United States, Israel,
Syria, and the Arabian Gulf states. In inland areas, porous rocks and
sediments are compacting when drained of water, causing surface subsidence
problems; this subsidence is already a serious problem in Texas, Florida,
and California.

The
world is also experiencing a steady decline in water quality and
availability. Human beings already use 55 per cent of available freshwater
run-off. This level of consumption will be an increasing problem as the
population rises. About 75 per cent of the world’s rural population and 20
per cent of its urban population have no ready access to uncontaminated
water. In many regions, water supplies are contaminated with toxic
chemicals and nitrates. Waterborne disease debilitates one third of
humanity and kills 10 million people a year.

During the 1980s and early 1990s, some industrialized countries improved
air quality by reducing particulate matter and toxic chemicals, such as
lead, but emissions of sulphur dioxide and nitrous oxides, the precursors
of acid deposition, still remain. Massive air pollution occurs over much
of Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union. As much as 15 per cent of
the former Soviet Union is so badly polluted that there are significant
and widespread threats to human health, agriculture, and biotas.

Tomorrow morning when you get up
to take a nice deep breath, It will make you feel rotten.